Half of GPs on clinical commissioning groups have financial links with private providers

An analysis of clinical commissioning groups showing the financial links many GP board members have with non-NHS providers has raised fresh fears around potential conflicts of interest.

The False Economy research group, which is funded by the Trades Union Congress, examined details covering 50 clinical commissioning groups.

It identified 22 groups whose boards have a substantial proportion of GPs with an external financial interest in a private company or other non-NHS provider.

Concerns have been raised that once they are put in charge of NHS budgets doctors who have a stake in other companies that provide healthcare might be able to profit from commissioning their own services.

A spokesman for False Economy said the government had not resolved such …